Removal of Executives - AP Comparative Government and Politics
- How does a recall election differ from an impeachment process?
- Recall is initiated by voters, impeachment by legislature. Different actors initiate each removal mechanism.
- What is a common consequence of a successful impeachment or vote of no confidence?
- Political instability. Executive removal creates uncertainty and governance challenges.
- Which body has the sole power to try impeachments in the United States?
- Senate. Constitutional authority exclusive to the Senate chamber.
- In a semi-presidential system, who holds the power to remove the prime minister?
- The president or parliament. Dual executive structure with shared removal powers.
- What is the first step in the impeachment process in the U.S.?
- House of Representatives passes articles of impeachment. House formally charges president with impeachable offenses.
- What is the outcome if a no-confidence vote passes?
- Dissolution of government and calling new elections. Failed government triggers new electoral mandate from voters.
- What happens if both the president and vice president are removed from office?
- Speaker of the House becomes president. Line of succession continues beyond vice president.
- Which executive position is often subject to recall elections in the U.S.?
- Governor. State-level executive subject to voter recall.
- What is the role of the judiciary in the impeachment process?
- Interprets constitutionality of the process. Courts ensure impeachment follows constitutional procedures.
- Identify the term for removal of a prime minister by a parliamentary vote.
- Vote of no confidence. Parliamentary mechanism to withdraw support from government.
- Which country uses a recall election process for executives?
- United States. Several U.S. states allow gubernatorial recall elections.
- Which constitutional amendment addresses presidential succession in the U.S.?
- 25th Amendment. Establishes procedures for presidential incapacity and succession.
- Identify a safeguard against arbitrary executive removal in a presidential system.
- Constitutional checks and balances. Separation of powers prevents arbitrary executive removal.
- What is the effect of a presidential impeachment conviction?
- Removal from office. Final outcome of successful impeachment conviction.
- What mechanism allows a parliamentary government to dissolve and call for new elections?
- Dissolution of parliament. Government triggers new elections to seek fresh mandate.
- Which body conducts the trial following impeachment in a presidential system?
- The upper house or Senate. Senate acts as jury for impeachment trial proceedings.
- What term describes the formal accusation in the impeachment process?
- Articles of Impeachment. Formal charges document specific impeachable offenses.
- What is required for a recall election to be initiated?
- Petition with sufficient signatures. Citizen signatures trigger direct democratic removal vote.
- In a semi-presidential system, who can dissolve the parliament?
- The president. Presidential power to trigger new legislative elections.
- What happens if a prime minister loses a vote of no confidence?
- The prime minister must resign. Loss of confidence requires immediate government change.
- What is the process called for removing a president through legislative action?
- Impeachment. Formal legislative process to remove executives for misconduct.
- Which body votes to remove a prime minister in a parliamentary system?
- The parliament. Legislative body directly controls executive in parliamentary systems.
- In a parliamentary system, who typically calls a vote of no confidence?
- Opposition parties. Political minority challenges government's legislative support.
- What majority is typically required in the lower house to impeach a president?
- Simple majority. Low threshold allows impeachment to proceed to Senate trial.
- What is the required majority in the Senate for a conviction in an impeachment trial?
- Two-thirds majority. High threshold ensures conviction requires broad consensus.
- Which body typically initiates the impeachment process in a presidential system?
- The lower house of the legislature. House initiates impeachment proceedings before Senate trial.
- What majority is typically required for a vote of no confidence?
- Simple majority. Lower threshold than impeachment for parliamentary removal.
- What action can a president take to avoid impeachment proceedings?
- Resignation. Voluntary departure to avoid impeachment or scandal.
- Which country's political system includes a vote of no confidence for removal of the executive?
- United Kingdom. Westminster system allows parliamentary removal of government.
- What is the primary reason for removing an executive through impeachment?
- High crimes and misdemeanors. Constitutional standard for serious misconduct requiring removal.
- What process allows citizens to remove an executive before the end of their term?
- Recall election. Direct democratic mechanism for executive removal by voters.
- Which type of government system often uses a vote of no confidence?
- Parliamentary system. System where legislature controls executive power directly.
- What term describes a political situation where an executive loses support from the legislature?
- Political deadlock. Situation where executive loses legislative support or cooperation.
- What legal term describes the president's immunity from certain prosecutions while in office?
- Presidential immunity. Protection from prosecution while serving in office.
- What is the term for a forced resignation of an executive due to scandal or misconduct?
- Resignation under pressure. Voluntary departure to avoid formal removal proceedings.
- Identify the term for the loss of confidence by the governing party in a parliamentary system.
- Internal party coup. Party leadership withdraws support from their own PM.
- Which body has the sole power to impeach in the United States?
- House of Representatives. Constitutional authority exclusive to the House of Representatives.
- What role does the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court have in a presidential impeachment trial?
- Presides over the trial in the Senate. Ensures judicial oversight of presidential impeachment proceedings.